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Chapter Thirteen

Perry

I woke slightly disoriented. Nate’s arm was thrown over my chest and his body was close to mine, touching along my left side. Nate was so close his head was almost on my shoulder instead of his pillow. Nate’s soft puffs of air trailed over my skin, raising gooseflesh. I couldn’t see his face well from my angle, but I could feel the rise and fall of his chest against my arm. It was nice waking up with him beside me. I would have liked to remain lying there. But my painful bladder had other ideas, and if I didn’t get up soon, Nate and I’d be sleeping in a different type of wet spot.

Carefully extracting myself, I managed to get out of bed without waking my partner. Quickly relieving myself in the bathroom, I splashed some cool water on my face and blinked at my haggard reflection. My head felt better—just some minor twinging to remind me I wasn’t out of the woods yet.

My hips, knees, ankles, and feet protested more than my head. I’d stopped taking my anti-inflammatory medications three to four weeks ago. I still popped a few pills now and again, but it wasn’t a regular regimen like it had been. My kidneys and liver were probably relieved. Digging through my bag of meds, I shook out a couple of pills. The physicality of the scavenger hunt had taken its toll. It didn’t feel like anything major, or at least nothing that a few hours of rest and some meds wouldn’t solve. That was an exceedingly good feeling. Muscle strain from overuse was far different from the crunching pain of my blown-out knee.

I checked the time. It was a little after four p.m. That meant I’d slept for about three hours. I didn’t know what time Nate joined me. Since he hadn’t stirred when I got up to pee, I figured he could use a little more rest.

Checking my phone, I found a text from Gayle along with recently taken photos of the kitties. I smiled at her thoughtfulness. There was even a video of them hunched over their food bowls, chowing down.

I typed out a quick thank you with a slew of grateful emojis and hit send. That done, I slipped back into the bedroom and pulled on some fresh clothes. I considered putting my tennis shoes back on but opted for my flip-flops instead. I didn’t plan on walking through the woods anytime soon. They’d be good enough for a meandering stroll around our camping area.

I wrote a quick note for Nate, telling him I was heading out but wouldn’t go far. I knew he was worried, and rightfully so. I also meant what I said yesterday. I refused to live my life in fear. Caution was one thing; changing my whole life was another.

Placing the note on the pillow beside Nate’s head, I leaned over and placed a soft kiss on his temple. My fiancé didn’t so much as blink. Nate really was exhausted.

Grabbing my sunglasses, visor, and phone, I crept out of the cabin. Standing on the front porch, I stretched and glanced about the area. It was exceedingly quiet. No one was milling about.

“Hmm, maybe they’re at another planned event,” I mused, assuming no one was around to hear me. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

“Not planned, necessarily, but welcome.” Malcom’s cool voice drifted from my right, startling me. When I jumped, Malcom held up his hands and apologized. “I didn’t mean to frighten you, Perry.”

My racing heart slowly calmed as my fingers loosened the death grip they had on my T-shirt. Even I knew my smile was strained. “No, it’s okay. Just a bit jumpy, I guess.”

“Understandable.” Malcom’s eyes flicked to my cabin, and he asked, “Where’s the good detective?”

“Asleep,” I answered while taking a step toward Malcom. He was standing at the edge of my cabin, not his. “I don’t think Nate’s slept well since we arrived. I didn’t want to wake him.”

“Considerate of you,” Malcom answered. Just like Delia, the heat didn’t seem to touch Malcom. Wearing a short-sleeved button-down and lightweight khaki pants, Malcom looked and smelled freshly washed, while I probably had the appearance of someone who’d just rolled out of bed. Which was accurate enough.

Waving a hand in the general direction of the rest of the cabins, I asked, “Where is everyone?”

Malcom shrugged and answered, “Free time. I believe most are checking out the community pool. Others are fishing, some decided to hike more, and I would guess a few more are taking the time to rest.”

More hiking? While I wanted to explore the woods more, it would have to wait until at least tomorrow.

Walking closer, Malcom tilted his head to the side and asked, “Walk with me?”

Considering I’d been planning on exploring a little, I agreed easily. “As long as we stay in the general area.” I glanced at my footwear and said, “I didn’t exactly plan for much more, and the note I left Nate promised I wouldn’t go far. Nate’s worried enough. I don’t want to compound that.”

“Very considerate,” Malcom built upon his earlier comment as he began a leisurely pace around the campsite. “For what it’s worth, I’m very sorry about what happened earlier.”

I could only assume he was referencing the dead cat. “I don’t think that was your fault.”

“Maybe not directly,” Malcom hedged. With a heavy sigh, he tilted his head to the sky. “I’ve always thought myself an excellent judge of character. I have a knack for spotting talent and hiring employees that suit Maverick Insurance’s varied clientele needs. I have specific reasons regarding every person we hire.”

“Willie served a certain type of clientele?” I asked, my disbelief clear.

Malcom chuckled and answered, “Yes, he did. They were not the type of customers I cared to cater to. However, I am not the owner and operator of Maverick Insurance. I am yet another employee. One of the executives, but an employee nonetheless. There are rules I must follow as well. I mistakenly believed William Slater could be tamed. I was wrong, and you have suffered the consequences of that error.”

My brow furrowed, and the migraine I’d been battling made it known the war wasn’t yet won. Despite the pleasant surroundings, Malcom’s serious tone held an ominous thread.

“And then there was Brian.” Malcom’s sigh was heavy. “Another disappointment.”

The man had murdered one of the executives and tried to murder me too. I thought the word disappointment was an understatement, but let it go.

“Dr. Lydia Schroder was brought on board to help evaluate the staff. I did not want Brian’s actions to be a harbinger of things to come. I had thought she could help bring William to heel. I thought him salvageable.”

My lips parted. I’m sure words were hiding there, ready to be released, only I couldn’t find them. While the topic wasn’t necessarily confusing, the way Malcom spoke of it was. The words he used were…odd. Unease filled me. If I were being honest, it was an unease I’d become increasingly aware of. There was something below the surface, something that I knew I could figure out if I could just get my brain to focus without bringing on a migraine. But just like now, when I tried to think about it too hard, pain shot through my temples, warning me away.

My neurologist told me I was lucky, and I didn’t doubt her. In fact, I heartily agreed. That didn’t mean I wasn’t frustrated. My brain had been trashed, throttled against a brick wall, cranial swelling further damaging what was left. Some parts of my brain hadn’t survived. The nervous system is a marvel that medicine still hasn’t completely unraveled. My brain rewired itself, skipping over those damaged parts and engaging others.

Seizures plagued me for the first year and into the second. But they’d thankfully dwindled and finally completely stopped. As my brain healed, I became more self-sufficient. However, there was only so much even the brain was capable of. Headaches—migraines in particular—were ever on the horizon. Reading for any length of time hurt my head. Light hurt my head. Concentrating on elusive thoughts hurt my head.

When I remained quietly ruminating, Malcom continued filling the silence. “Selfishly, I wanted you to know just how sorry I am. When I hired you, I only wanted the best. I wanted to provide you with a valuable income and aid in your independence. I apologize for what working for Maverick Insurance has cost you.”

I stumbled but caught my balance before causing further damage. “It’s given me a lot more,” I protested. “I enjoy working there. I still think you pay me far more than you should, and—”

“I would pay you more if I were allowed.”

Flustered, I stumbled on. “And I wouldn’t have met Delia, or Gabe, or you,” I tacked on. “The other employees are pleasant also. I mean, they’re not as friendly as Delia and Gabe, but they’re not unfriendly either.” I didn’t mention the health benefits, but it was on the tip of my tongue. Without Maverick’s generous healthcare package, there was no way I would have been able to get my knee replaced. And that was saying nothing of the paid medical leave Malcom had given me.

Malcom stopped walking, turning his attention to me. His smile was softer than typical, almost a sad quirk to the corners. “I’m glad to hear that, Perry. I’ve enjoyed having you as an employee. Much more than even I imagined.” Placing a hand on my shoulder, Malcom stared into my sunglass-covered eyes. “No matter what happens in the future, know that is true. Getting to know you has been a pleasure and a joy.”

This felt like a goodbye of some kind, and suddenly, my heart pounded again. I wanted to say something, to ask what was really going on and why Malcom suddenly appeared so sad. I didn’t get the chance. Gaze shifting to a spot over my shoulder, Malcom’s sad expression morphed into pleased satisfaction.

“It appears as if your worried detective has awoken and is on the hunt for his wayward fiancé.”

I turned, following Malcom’s stare. Nate wasn’t on the hunt; he’d found me and was striding in my direction. His hair was tousled and his clothes wrinkled. We made quite the disheveled pair.

When he reached us, Nate’s arm immediately wrapped around my shoulders. Tilting my head, Nate leaned down and met me halfway, placing a chaste kiss on my lips.

“Thanks for the note,” Nate said.

“I didn’t want you to worry when you woke and I wasn’t there.” I hadn’t wanted Nate to worry, but I felt too restless to stay in the cabin.

“How’s the head?” Nate asked while pushing my bangs off my forehead and tucking my hair behind an ear.

I toggled my hand back and forth. “Better, but not completely gone. I’m still optimistic.”

Nate’s gentle smile made my heart flutter. “Glad to hear it. Let me know if that turns out not to be the case.”

“Will do.” Being with Nate had taught me he didn’t see my health issues as a hindrance. Nate truly cared, and telling him when I hurt, when I wasn’t 100 percent, or when I needed a rest didn’t make me weak in his eyes. Considering Nate’s vision of me was a lot healthier than my own, I tried seeing myself from his perspective and found I was a lot happier for it.

With me taken care of, Nate turned his attention to Malcom and asked, “Any news yet?” Nate didn’t mention the cat directly, but I knew that’s what he was asking, and evidently Malcom did too.

“Only that you were correct. Gabe called earlier. The veterinarian radiographed the cat and found several fractured vertebrae, including the neck. There were no puncture wounds or bullets found. The veterinarian would like to send the cat to another facility for further testing.”

Nate’s arm tensed. “I thought that might be the case. Given previous experience, it will probably be a while before the final necropsy report is in.”

That minuscule part of me that hoped the cat hadn’t died from malicious intent spoke up. “Maybe it fell out of a tree. I mean, cats normally land on their feet, but not always. I’ve seen that firsthand. That might explain all the fractures.”

“It might,” Nate half-heartedly agreed. “All those rocks in the area wouldn’t have offered a soft landing, that’s for certain.”

“A valid point.” Malcom’s supportive words contradicted his tight jaw. “The cat did have a microchip.”

“A microchip. Were they able to find the owner?” I wasn’t sure if knowing the cat had a pet parent made the situation better or worse. In the end, it simply left a different kind of sour feeling in my gut.

Malcom’s gaze flicked to Nate before landing back on me. “It was tracked back to a local shelter. Gabe is on his way there now to investigate further.”

My mind swam, and just like before, attempting to latch onto any distinctive thoughts sent mini shockwaves of pain rippling through my brain. It was incredibly frustrating.

Nate’s arm tightened around me. “Will they give out the information to Gabe?”

The tight lines pinching Malcom’s eyes eased, and a grin teased his lips. “My good detective, I assure you Gabe will not leave the premises without knowing everything there is to know regarding our deceased feline.”

With a stiff nod, Nate answered, “Good to know.”

“Very good indeed. Now, I’ll leave the two of you alone. I’m sure you could use more downtime. There are no more scheduled activities today. Despite what happened during the scavenger hunt, I hope the two of you won’t be dissuaded from joining in on group activities tomorrow.”

Despite my aching legs and questionable head, I answered, “We’ll do our best.”

“Excellent,” Malcom beamed. “Dinner tonight will be a DIY affair. There will be plenty of hot dogs with all the fixings. The fires will be set up shortly after six p.m. Desert will follow around the main firepit. I am assured there will be plenty of graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows. I hope the two of you like s’mores.”

My stomach rumbled. I’d probably need to break into the snacks Nate and I’d brought with us before dinnertime rolled around. Given the number of medications I’d taken, keeping my stomach full was in my best interest.

“Sounds like someone’s ready to eat,” Malcom teased. “Bring your appetite to dinner tonight. Enjoy the late afternoon and evening.” Malcom tilted his head in each of our directions before turning and heading back toward his cabin. He’d barely taken two steps before he pulled his phone out of his pocket and had it pressed against his ear.

I watched him walk away, Malcom’s recent words swimming through my mind. I wanted to throw a life raft in their direction and haul them to my mental shores. Instead, I allowed them to quietly drift away, easing the strain inside my head.

One thought stuck, the one I would have liked to forget yet couldn’t. “There was a microchip,” I needlessly stated.

Nate was quiet for a beat before he simply answered, “There was.”

I swallowed hard. “What do you think that means?” I wasn’t sure I wanted to know, but I needed to ask.

“I’m not certain. I think the best we can do is wait and see what Gabe finds out.”

I nodded. “Do you really think the shelter will release that kind of information to him?”

Nate made a sound between a snort and a grunt. “I think if anyone can obtain that information, it’s Gabriel Scott.”

“Delia too,” I said and couldn’t for the life of me figure out why. I only knew it made sense.

“Delia too,” Nate easily agreed, tone softly contemplative. “I don’t know about you, but my legs could use more rest. The chairs on the porch are looking increasingly appealing the longer we stand here in the blazing sun.”

Nate didn’t wait for me to answer. He simply took my hand and gave it a little tug. I followed easily enough. I’d follow Nate Harmon through the gates of Hell. A short walk to our cabin porch seemed doable enough.